Experts in Baking

Over the past year, our class has been working on creating a cook book. We have really become pros in baking! We know it all! =D

We are proud to see the children remembering key ingredients necessary to bake cakes, cup cakes and cookies.

Bishop came in one morning and told the class about a show he saw the night before where they made a  Honey Cake,so we got to work...

The teachers found and printed up the list of ingredients and directions.  The directions were typed in simple sentence form to help encourage the children to read them on their own.

We sat down with Ms.Ambreen while we sounded out and read the ingredients we needed...

Than we started measuring out the flour...

                                                    

                                      

                                               We were very good at sharing and taking turns!

                                          Over the past year we have focused a lot on measurements.  The children are becoming familiar with fractions in measuring and the difference between a cup, teaspoon, and tablespoon.
Bishop showed us exactly where the measurement 1/2 was!

                                       The next step was to measure out all the sweet honey,this was our favorite part!  It also started a wonderful conversation on where honey comes from, and how it is made.  This particular jar of honey still had the honey comb in it! 

The next day Noah came in with a bottle of sprinkles! He wanted to make cupcakes! Soooo we bought some vanilla and chocolate mix to make!

                                     Like we said before, the children have become baking experts! 
                                     Ms.Ambreen let us do it all on our own, as she watched. ;)

                                          Now the tricky part,cracking the eggs!

When they came fresh out the oven,we got to decorate our very own cupcake!

                                              chocolate frosting on a chocolate cupcake =)

                                                  He LOVES blue sprinklessss very much!

                                         This vanilla cupcake had to be just right with enough sprinkles...

                                                             Our famous frosting face!

                                  

Cooking is an opportunity; to not only learn an important life skill, but multiple lessons and skills while having fun doing it.

Below is a summary of the skills we focus on when we cook in the classroom:

Math skills

• Counting
• Fractions
• Sorting
• Money
• Sequencing- what comes 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Weighing
• Measuring
• Shapes
• Colors
• Problem solving-what happens if something goes wrong

Reading skills

• Improving their reading skills
• Vocabulary through new words

Chemistry and Science lessons

• Discovering food groups
• Making predictions
• Experimenting
• How food grows
• How food changes while cooking
• Five senses
• Sensory exploration-with hands on and feeling the ingredients while cooking

Health lessons

• How to eat healthy
• Good nutrition

Social Skills

• Responsibility
• Safety and Cleanliness
• Working together
• Sharing
• Building self esteem

Fine motor skills

• Chopping, whisking, kneading, pouring, mixing, cutting, rolling